PS 3503 
.E59 P6 

1901 . . 

Copy 1 ■ ■" * 



POEIVIS 

BY 

WILLIAM BIRDSLY BENTON 




Entered according to act of Congress, 
in the year 1901, by William Birdsly Ben- 
ton, in the office of the Librarian of Con- 
gress, at Washington. 



THE JOURNAL PRINT, DEPOSIT, N. Y. 




POEJVIS 



BY 



WILLIAM BIRDSLY BENTON 




Entered according to act of Congress, 
in the year 1901, by William Birdsly Ben- 
ton, in the office of the Librarian of Con- 
gress, at Washington. 



THE JOURNAL PRINT* DEPOSIT, N. Y. 



-;^— ^^ --^^ ^ 



TH£ L;BRARY OF 
Cq>4GRESS. 

Two Copies Received 

MAY 12 !903 

^ XXc. No. 



^' 



:LaSS ^ 



Ipdnce IRobert. 



■^j^ 



— 1— 

Tis night; and on huge towring hills, 
No sound is heard save of the rills, 
And of the sweet toned nightingale 
That sings amid the bloomy dale; 
While, rising o'er the summits gray. 
The moon sends down her silver ray. 

- 2— 

But who is she, yon venturous maid 
Seeming in royal garb arrayed. 
And wandering 'mong those steeps alone. 
Were not one guiding path is shown? 
Before her lie wild scenes of dread, 
That strong men, even, might fear to tread, 
Tho' armed, and clad from crown to heel 
With best wrought garb of triple steel ; 
For there, behold, in days of yore 
A miglity troop their pennants bore 
At early dawn of summer's day, 
Intent on fierce, victorious fray ; 
Who, er3 the sun's all radiant power 
Had dried the dew on leaf and flower, 
Found all their, vaunt was but a breath, 
All their reward but a sudden death, 
And still their bones lie bleaching there. 
And often on the mountain air, 
Wierd, ghostly voices forth are sent 
From hollow skull and huge rook rent ; 
Wilst, mingled with the crumbling dust. 
Swords, si elds, and spears and helmets rust. 



— 3— 

Onward she moves in eager quest, 
And not a fear disturbs her breast; 
She nears at length the horrid view, 
Witli firmest step, nor changed her hue; 
She passes oft' mid cragg and boss, 
And rocks begirt with heavy moss 
She scans with well erected head 
Each sad conditi(<n of the dead, 
Tho' on a quickly rising gale 
Are borne innumerous shriek and wail. 

— 4— 

Thus a true prophetess, whose name 

Had not yet been ^evoaied to fame, 

Took up her varied w^ay and long. 

Thro' lands renowned by minstrel song; 

There circling days had often seen 

Flags wide unfurled of diverse sheen; 

Tlie bravest bl od run swiftly gushing, 

Adown the steep in torrents rushing; 

But now no more on rock or wave 

Fell tlie fierce gleam of battle glaive. 

Nor the shirll sound of bugle-horn 

Proclaimed the near approach of morn ; 

All, all forsaken, wild and lone. 

Like a vast world none deigned to own; 

Yet oft her eye could well behold 

Where people d ^elt in time of old; 

Glebes strongly walled that once did share 

Some owner's fond, laborious care; 

And soon as thick as urorninsr dew, 

Moss ros?s and carnations grew, 

And here 'neath stately bowers were set 

Fresh bloomng groups of mignonette. 

Mingled witli callirhoe and phlox, 

While vines trailed thick 'oer shub and rocks; 

There gianaly stood in fairy dell 

Deep purple fringe and golden bell; 

And down where crystal fountains gushed. 

Hibiscus and althea blushed; 

Then for awhile strown thick around, 

Xeranthemums posess the ground, 

Save that some room they frequent spare 

To shrub or vine of beauty rare; 

At length as in a fairy court 



The fairy lily seemed to sport; 

'Mid purple sprays white clusters Imng; 

To shelving steeps the trotem clung; 

Along a fair translucent stream, 

The lotus lent a sparkling gleam, 

As from its cups of silver hue, 

'Mid sportive bref^zes dripped the dew. 



Now as tJie morn with golden ray 

Began to gladden, bloom and spray, 

Tben all at once the changing scene 

Displayed a dense, luxuriant green; 

There o'er thick ferns and woodbines blent, 

Embow'ring cak strong branches sent 

In whose half-dark, majestic shade 

The blithesome squirrel fondly played; 

Here clustering ivys grandly crept 

O'er shrubs 'mid which the owlet slept; 

And soon where mosses fringed the bank 

Of the cool stieam, the rock doe drank. 

'Mid such beneath the early day. 

The fair adventuress kept her ^ay, 

T'ill through the spaciouss grove, and then 

Took instant to a mountain glen 

Wliere from huge cliffs or darkest brow 

The mantling moss hung thickly down; 

And wiiatsoever sound was heard. 

If some soft breeze a leaflet stirred. 

If whirl or splasli of waters clear. 

Or tinkling, fell upon the ear. 

If startled owlet thence withdrew. 

And o'er the craggy summit flew. 

Or if a thrush from leafy spray 

Was pleased to pour his wonted lay, 

It served more strongly to impress 

Upon the soul the mournfulness 

For which that deep, majestic space. 

Seemed fashioned for a dwelling place. 

And now as slie still onward drew 

The glen fast wider, fairer g±ew; 

To numerous vines rocks give support, 

And seem the seats of fairy court; 

Wistaria, as with bridal yoke, 

Unites the daphne and the oak ; 

Down varied steep and narrow dell, 



Peered honeysuckle, rose and bell; 

Sweet hyacinths, with graniest cheer 

Seemed to disport both far and near, 

'Neath varied shade, o'er velvet knoll, 

Or gentle bank to fondly stroll, 

Or on a fountain's clear expanse 

In mazy rings as fondly dance. 

At length amid a valley wide 

Fair youtlis and dames her form espied, 

Yet thej could not, tho' all intent, 

Descern the course in which she went. 

For as some bird of sparkling plume 

Is seen amid the forest gloom, 

Q?hen speeds so quick the keenest sight 

In vain essays to trace its flight, 

Thus instant did she dissappear 

The very moment she drew near. 

— 6— 

Now when above the forests green, 
The blazing sun was fully seen. 
Prince Robert and his faithful band 
Rode forth amid that mountain land, 
Wlierw liad been wrought great deeds of fame 
And soon unto his mind it came 
How once in days of battle strife 
A mystic maiden saved his life; 
But little surely did he ken 
He ere shoud meet witli her again; 
Yet as to left he duly filed, 
Where all the ground lay strangely wild, 
She stood at distance in advance, 
And well he knew her at a glance; 
Slacking his spted, and all intent. 
He deeply pondered what event 
Or danger now might be at Jiand; 
Or if near to that rugged strand 
She iid abide, and here had drawn 
With sportive step to greet the dawn; 
And as beneath a branching oak, 
He halted, she thus plainly spoke: 
"O worthy prince, here rest thy steed, 
And give thy soul's most earnest heed 
Unto my words, lest sudden death 
Midjyon wild wood stop thy bold breath; 
A friend^ — ah!no; — a traitor there 
Belays thy path like secret snare; 



Disguised lie waits the huge rooks near; 

His clutohant haii' lioWs heavy spear; 

But trust tliou well thy brand to wield, 

For Heaven hioiself shall be thy shield; 

I see thy brand flasli o'er the tide; 

I see it pierce the traitor's side; 

1 see the traitor wildly reel, 

His grim eye scan the bloody steel; 

He bleeds — he falls;— a groan— a breath; — 

His chill frame quivers; — sinks in death." 

So spoke tlie fair mysterious maid, 

Nor for a moment she delayed; 

But instant as a bird of dawn 

Springs upward from the dewey lawn, 

And speeds on its arial way 

To bloomy bowers or woodlands gay, 

She turned aLd fled ; nor long defered 

The prince his plan, but onward spured; 

And having won a bloomy mead, 

Dismounts and leaving tliere his steed, 

Takes lo the wood, and soon his blade 

Is 'gainst the traitor's elbow laid; 

The traitor's lips emitt a groan; 

His liuge spear falls like heivy stone; 

He turns, and witli intene affright. 

Ventures these words nnto the Knight: 

•'x\las!what hath of late prevailed 

That thus by thee I am assailed? 

At early morn I hither came 

In wild pursuit of forest game," 

Tlie Knight replied: "Thy word might well 

Serve minstrel theme; hence plainly tell 

What noble fairy's skillful hand 

Wrought that disguise so truly grand; 

But trust thcu not to longer claim 

Unknown tliy purpose, rank and name." 

The traiter heard; and deeply pressed 

By words so stern his guilt confessed; 

Then sorely pled ; but lo, the knight 

Thus sternly added to the plight: 

"Forsooth; in wolves 'tis very kind 

To beg where such great need they find; 

To grow repentant and to own 

Their faults with such religious tone; 

But wert thou now safe on thy plain. 

And I amid this wild-wood slain. 

Then how exultant were thy boast; 



H ow gaily liadst thou drank tliy toast ; 

For here thou didst my patli belay 

To take my life; here ends thy play. " 

He spoke, and thro' the tiaitor's form 

Now trembl'ng like a leaf in storm, 

Impelled as with Anhillian hand 

The strongly tempered, heavy brand 

Which, while withdrawn, the blood of guilt 

Did follow to the vtry hilt; 

But cleansed within the crystal stream 

It reassumed its wonted gleam, 

And, dried with mosses from the lieath, 

Soon found again its statelv sheath. 

Tlien straightway on the rugged strand, 

The prince rejoined his faithful band; 

And soon a newly wakened breeze 

Came down from 'mong the mountain trees, 

And spread around a rich perfume 

And gently shook each bud and bloom ; 

Dense loaded hung the spreading beech, 

With meUow clusters glowed the peach; 

The orange richly did unfold 

Its bridal white and gleaming gold; 

Jasmin and stock, as if intent 

On social joy, where richly blent; 

The moon-flower gleamed like mountain snows, 

Serenely smiled the stately rose; 

All diffident yet all replete, 

The clieriantbus found retreat 

By crystal rill or mossy stone. 

And seemed well pleased to dwell alone ; 

While brachycomes strove to screen 

Themlseves 'mong umbrage dense and green, 

Yet did thereby more plainly show 

Tlieir purle blu^h and crimson glow; 

And soon beside a stately bower, 

Abrus, well termed the prophet flower, 

Looked gladly forth as if to say, 

"I vouch you. Sirs, a pleasant day." 



Now journeying on they soon attain 
Where once a noted cliief was slain; 
He rudely clad in fur of deer. 
And armed with hunter's heavy spear, 
Went boldly forth ; but as in view 
Close by a mount he onward drew, 



'Gainst liis strong arm there came a stroke, 
Even as the lightening 'gainst an oak; 
His huge spear falls; he turns around, 
And on the fast uprising ground. 
And wielding as with tiger strength, 
A flaming sword of mighty length, 
Stood a young knight of giant size. 
To wiom he thus: "Whence tliis surprise 
So sudden and so rash mi splayed 
Upon a friend? I to tliis shade, 
From the bright fields of bloomy Ayr, 
With venturous step have tracked a bear." 
To whicli the Knight: "Thy speech is graced 
With sweet romance; but bad misplaced; 
Spies, ere tliey seek well guarded ground. 
Should change to shape of cur or hound." 
He spoke; and straight for speedy flight, 
The chieftain turned; but quick as light 
Shoots thro' thin mist, down came the brand, 
And laid him dead upon the strand. 

— 8— 

Now soon there stood beside the way, 
A cavern huge and darkly gray. 
One well might deem the stately home 
Of princely fairy, sylph or gnome; 
And oft historic minstrels told 
Here long did dwell in days of old, 
A giant Queen most trnly fair; 
While on her long, brisk, tawny hair 
Which heavy hung in shaggy maze, 
Tlie lion might witli envy gaze. 

— 9— 

Now soon the stream, as if intent 

Upon its choice, to northward bent. 

Where bright genista did unfold 

Its proud display of flamy gold; 

Then all at once botli far and near, 

Ismenes and pyrenthrums rear 

Their stately heads, and densely siiow 

A whiteness pure as mountain snow; 

At length a melancholy lawn 

Aroand their view was widely drawn; 

O'or darksome shrubs the willow bowed; 

The cypress seemed a weeping cloud; 

Low branching j^ine stood dark and whist; 



Pale poplar grew a trembling mist; 

Aud here tlie prince remembered well 

The tale a minstrel used to tell, 

How once with anger raging high, 

A Queen condemned a wretcli to die- 

For lie amid relentless strife, 

Had turned a traitor to her life ; 

And while his heart with fear did quake, 

She thus Iier royal vengence spake ; 

"Thy flesh and bones shall here be put 

To nouish the witch-hazel's root; 

Here oft tbe greedy fox may tread, 

Tlie lurking panthers lay his liead; 

Such now the honors thou canst claim 

As fitest triune to thy fame. ' ' 

She spake; and, while he shook with fear, 

Plunged thro' his heart the blazing spear. 

— 10— 

Now soon upon the verdant strand, 

A minstrel sat with harp in hand; 

To wliom the prince: "Dear child of song, 

Whence art thou come? For surely long 

Tliese varied lands from east to west, 

Have been unsought and unposessed. " 

With deep attent the minsttrel eyed 

The noble prince, and thus replied: 

"Not distant from this pensive shade, 

An empire. Sir, is newly laid; 

Its people are as truly mild 

As loveliest flow'ret of the wild; 

Their Queen is all unknown to fame. 

And Helen is her royal name. ' ' 

'Ihis heard, the prince renewed his way, 

And ere had closed the glowing day, 

Appeared in fairest garb arrayed, 

That noble Queen — the mystic .naid. 



Ipdncess Catbadna. 

A Poe ui ill Four Cantos. 
Introduction. 



— 1 — 

Tlie wise — the just; — What would they deem 

The grandest for heroic theme? 

He is, indeed, exceeding bold. 

Who dare attempt the panther's hold, 

And shrewd is he who wins the day 

With no advantage for his play; 

Yet such the wovld will little note; — 

Ye — pass him by as if a goat; 

But see the despot strong and dread, 

With laurels heped upon his head, 

Tho' to his foe he may compare 

As dobh a tiger to a hare. 

— 2— 

"Look round our world;" survey mankind 

Compare their wars, then clearly find 

— For so thou canst — on what sad story. 

Rests all the pride of martial glory; 

When trumpets herald armies forth 

From east and west and south and north. 

All for the purpose to sustain 

Proud, boasting powers in quest of gain. 

What difference surely if the work 

Be of the Christian or the Turk? 

Ask Truth what hoie or wisdom lies 

In bloody conquest; — Truth replies: 

"The panther in his lordly way, 

WouLi to the speedy greyhound say: 

"You help me catch that noble hare., 

And I will call you. Grand Esquire" 

Or rather thus: "Cain's ruling passion 

Become the world's most haughty fashion!" 

O therefore from such evil play. 

Goddess, now turn the epic lay; 

And bid the nations clearly see 

What they are not, but sure should be. 



Canto ®ne* 

T'was early morn; and far and near 
Innumerous birds sung loud and clear; 
The rose bestowed its rich perfume, 
The apple trees were all abloom, 
And many a fountain, brook and rill 
Did warble sweet 'mong vale and hill. 

— 2— 
And sDon as o'er the grassy leas, 
Game speeding forth the western breeze, 
Near by a dense and waving wood, 
The princess Cathrina stood, 
But on her stately form she bore 
No princely sign, no royal store 
You would have deemed her then and tiiere, 
A simple huntress rude and fair. 
Or some sweet belle that roved the plain. 
And fairest youth might wish to gain; 
Yet lo her dress so purely shone 
'Twould rival even Lucotlie's own, 
And she had fougnt as fierce and bold 
As Pallas 'ere in days of old. 

— 3— 
Intent she hears the music swell 
From every grove and every dell. 
And fondly looks on every flower 
And fount and srteam and viny bower; 
The queenly rose, the mignoette, 
The jasamin, the violet, 

Bloomed close around, while 'long each sho re, 
The ground appeared so covered o'er, 
'Twere far too great a task to name 
The numerous kinds of blush and flame 
At length unto her eye appears 
A rustic maiden bathed in tears; 
Rustic, yet seeming truly fair, 
As tho' an angel sure were there; 
Or Venus robed in sylvan guise, 
Lone weeping for some vanished prize; 
The princess fain would give relief, 
And thus she sought the cause of grief: 
' 'Fair, rustic maid, why dost thou mourn ? 
Have friends been from thy bosom torn 



By fate of unrelenting war 
And sent to battle fields afar? 
Or that deep slumber do they take, 
From which, alas, they cannot wake? 
Or those in whom thou didst confide 
Have tliey proved changeful as the tide?' 
The maiden thus: 'Mid battle plain 
My father wears a clanking chain; 
To prison by the victor sent. 
Whose heart most sure cannot relent 
More than yon rocks of sable hue 
Can in one instance change to dew. ' ' 
With deep intent the princess eyed 
The mournful form and tlms replied; 
"Thou saddest, lovliest, sweetest rose; 
No longer. droop beneath thy woes 
But trust thou well that 'ere the sun 
His downward journey has begun, 
Thou sure shalt hear tliy fathers tone. 
And in his hand repose thine own; 
So let mv words bestow thee cheer, 
And from thine eyes dispell each tear, 
Even as the morning dries away 
The dew drops from the bloomy spray. " 
She spoke and fled and as she flew 
Her feet scarce seemed to touch the dew 
She whistled, and her saddled steed 
Came bounding from the daisied mead 
She quickly mountt-d and from sight 
Sped like a form of fairy light. 
And all the while the rust'c maid 
With anixous heart amid the shade 
Did feel her hope so truly dear 
Oppressed wutl) sad and gloomy fear. 
But all at once she hears a sound 
Is it some beasts accustomed bound? 
No beast is nigh nor rusting breeze 
Is on the brook nor 'mong the trees; 
It comes again and doth repeat 
The truth is told slie springs to greet 
The one for whom her heart did yearn. 
And lo, her joy none 'ere can learn, 
Save only those whose hearts shall know 
The self same fate succeed to woe. 



Canto 2. 
— 1 — 

LOUDLY amid his leafy tower, 
The owlet hailed the midnight hour, 
Where granite rocks of darkest gray 
Rose higl- above the dashing ispray, 
And its deep shade the cypress lent, 
And o'er the stream the willow bent; 
While, gleaming clear, a single flower, 
Well fit to grace a royal bower, 
Did serve as by some magic thrill, 
To make the scene more mournful still. 



But suddenly o'er all the ground 

There comes and goes the only sound 

Of waters dashing 'long the beach. 

For now hath ceased the owlet's creeech ; 

But hark — alas! — 'tis but a gale, 

Rushing adown the narrow dale; — 

Ah, no indeed! 'imd grove and field 

Gleam sword and plume and spear and shield 

On giant steeds of snowy white. 

As if for fierce and instant fight. 

Come boldly forth a numerous band ; 

But who is she who doch command? 

A fairer form was never seen; 

Her royal garb bespeaks lier Queen ; 

Onward they march toward the west; 

Now halt, dismount, and take to rest. 

— 3— 

At length upon a mountain lawn 
Came dancing fortli the twinkling dawn, 
And soon full plainly did appear 
Round many a palace far and near. 
Each fairest, most enchanting flower, 
In bed and knot and arching bower. 
And when among the varied sprays 
Ihe birds awoke their mantin lays. 
It seemed as if both leaf and bloom 
Poured forth rich music and perfume. 



But lo, along yon distant meads, 
Another baud; — a Princess leads; — 
Ah can it be tliat battle strife 
Must liere ensue with loss of life? 
Ah must thpse lovely plains be strown 
With buildings burnt or overthrown? 
In battle line each arm/ forms; 
Dread as the fiercest timnder storms; 
Now under truce the leaders met 
Beside a winding rivulet; 
Each wore a plume of diamond glow, 
And purely white as mountain snow; 
But their amazement who can tell? 
For lo, they knew each other well; 
And tJius the one who came by night: 
Say, art thou prone to love the right? 
And dost thou 'e^'e witli utmost zest, 
The right pursue, the wrong detesc? 
Yea, thou art she who 'mid the wild 
Didst greatly bless a maiden child; 
And now that child to woman grown, 
I surely am, and by thee known ; 
My nation now asserts her cause, 
And would High Heaven refuse applause 
Vast armies 'neath thy King's command 
Did rob us of our rich3st land." 
Intent and calm the Princess eyed 
The noble Queen and thus replied: 
' 'But we of late have judged full strong. 
Thy nation sure has suffered wrong; 
Each deed in former war pursued. 
Our later councils have reviewed; 
The lands we took we now restore; 
And of our ow^n add plenty more. 
That all, with must ecstatic glow 
May sanction what we do bestow ; 
There is, 'tis true, no earthly power 
That can revive the withered flower. 
Or in its former state p^^esent 
The forest by the tempest rent; 
But genial sun and rain and dew 
Will quickly cloth each scene anew^ 
And bid again the breezes play, 
M'ong fragrant bloom and leafy spray." 



These words, wliile Cathrina spake, 
Did sweetly hope aud joy awake; 
And as in some fair lawn and gay, 
While sweetly shines the dawning ray, 
Eacli leaf and bud and stalk and bloom 
Seems joyed to give its neighbor room, 
Thus every look did well express 
Tlie kindly wish to help and bless. 
Canto 3. 

Now while the armies shared the day 
In social talk or social play, 
The Queen and Princess hand in hand 
Went forth to view the lovely land; 
And 'long the course they wished to tread 
A pathway sweetly, lindly led; 
Here ivy and Cobea vine 
Fondly embraced the oak and pine; 
Tliere oft by fountain or beneath 
Magnolia sliade or violet heath, 
The rose and lily side by side 
Showed fairest look of queenly pride; 
Here 'mid thick shrub and circling green 
Fair floral beds were plainly seen; 
Of every shape from oval bar 
To storied round and triple star ; 
Thexe rocks upstood of giant lieight, 
Begemmed with many a flowret bright, 
Whose dainty roots in crevice found 
Sufficient room and kindly ground; 
And thus the Princess to the Queen : 
"My worthy friend; I truly ween 
Thou wouldst that 1 to thee unfold 
The tale a harping minstrel told. 
How first this wide, romantic ground 
Was by a venturous maiden found ; 
She one fair day too far had strolied, 
And night o'ertook her 'mid the wold; 
And soon beneath a bower she crept 
Near where a full grown panther slept; 
But carefully from thence withdrew, 
Then instant long a pathway flew% 
And quickly came where uncontrolled, 
Deep thundering waters tossed and rolled ; 
Then all at once with step so fleet 



As scarce appeared the trrf to meet, 

She sped like morning's early beam, 

Bounded across the raging stream; 

Then to the right lier way slie takes 

Thro' mingled blooms and clustered brakes; 

While from thick pine or scant beech 

Darts oft and shrill the owlets screech; 

And leaving these she soon is led 

To Mount Gavlardia's shaggy head 

Whence looking downward she surveyed 

Full many a villa, fieli and shade; 

Then, moving onward, she descends 

To where the crystal Rudus bends, 

Whose winding shore she closely keeps 

T'ill where 'neatli densely sliaded steeps. 

And thro' rock cievices profound, 

Its waters shoot with thunder sound, 

She turns again, and for an hour, 

Save prickly shrubs without a flower, 

No verdure sees ; but all is rough 

Witn stony ridge and vale and bluff; 

At length she came where near a hill 

A fairy sat beside a rill. 

Who, when she saw the lovely maid, 

Arose and thus distinctly said: 

"Adventurous one; in vision clear 

I did behold thy coming here; 

And straightway wnth a princess' care. 

For tliy repose a bed prepare 

Within yon deep, sequestered bower 

Where thou oan-st rest till morning hour; 

Then while beneath the rosy beam 

The sparkling dews begin to gleam. 

We fortli will sally 'long a vale 

Where blithesome as a breeze or gale, 

Thy steps can speed until again 

Thou dost behold thy native plain." 

Such words the kindly fairy spoke, 

Then by the hand the maiden took. 

And 'long a path with violets spread, 

She quickly to her her dwelling led; 

Of woven rush each wall wa? made, 

The floor with woven bark o'er laid; 

While tlie deep roof was varied sheaf 

Of broom and husk and fern and leaf ; 

With fairest gifts had summer crowned 



The well arranged, euciroling ground; 
'Neath fragrant blooni,and leafy spray 
A streamlet sang its merry lay; 
"Here," said the fairy, "mayest thou rest. 
Nor fear that aught will thee molest; 
For sure no beast, however bold, 
'Ere ventures near a fairy's hold; 
And even the tempest, 'ere one spray 
Has felt its anger, turns away. 



(To be continued in the next edition.) 



flDcMtatione of mapoleon H, 

AFTFR THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO. 



— 1 — 

Have I lost all?— Am 1 undone?— 
Is such the end my sword has won? — 
Did Pallas from Columbia's strand 
Thrust forth the lion with her hand, 
Then, thundering, bid his courage speed 
To work such dread, destructive deed? — 
Most sure some power was all alert 
My every motive to avert. 
And plunge me straight into the net 
So strongly formed and shrewdly set. 

— 2 — 

I deeply mourned ; I eager tried 
To change the cours3 and sway the tide; 
But death still came from near and far. 
As winged by every tree and star; 
What then of deeds of former days? 
What then of stern ambition's blaze? 
Far better if my proudest thought 
And brightest v ish had only sought 
A home where' long some wooded dale, 
No pathway save the wild deer's trail, 
Had served my wandering steps to guide 
By crystal brook o-^ river wide ; 
Each hope now fled, each glory lost. 
Ah! where and whither am I tossed? 
O could I like the eagle spring. 
And soon on bold, untiring wing. 
Then soon mine ear would list to rills 
That warble 'mong Columbia's hills; 
But ah! I need not hope to greet 
Chance for escape for safe retreat; 
Tlie lion gaurds the heaving main 
Alas friends, a^as!, are friends in vain. 



— 3— 

Perchance I soon must bid adi«u 

To all the scenes I gladly knew ; 

Leave with sad tears yon royal shore, 

Hear the wild washes around me roar; 

But ne're again shall breeze or gale 

For me distend one friendly sail; 

Exile, and on some distant spot. 

May henceforth be my distined lot; 

O that some god; would me enshroud 

Within sucli dark, protecting cloud 

As Neptune 'mid tl e battle threw 

When u3^]neas from^ ^chillies flew; 

Alas! Alas! while yet to view. 

Fair as the summer's fairest hue, 

As o'er sweet fields and crystal springs, 

Fortune extends her golden wings, 

Kow few discern whereto they tread. 

By folly or ambition led; 

E-^eu the most gav, when times grew foul. 

Have envied well the desert owl; 

And many fled from royal hall 

To lonliest haunt and rudest wall ; 

Yes, on this swiftly rolling star. 

Full many souls there surely are, 

Of every sweetest hope bereft; 

Or if perchance there be one left, 

'Tis even as a lonely flower 

Beneath a tempest — shaken bower; 

And as, when o'er the spacious heaven 

Fast deepening clouds are quickly driven, 

An opening space admit a beam 

On wood or lake or winding stream, 

TJien closes soon, and deeper still 

The darkness falls o'er vale and hill, 

So peace hath for a little while. 

Seemed fast returning with a smile. 

So all at once as snatched from sight, 

By fiercest terror and affright. 

Behold me now ; as well as a fly 

Might boast of wealth and power as I; 

As well tlie fawn miglit sternly dare 

The tiger from his restful lair, 

As I again my brand to wield 

On hostile march or battle field. 



— 4 — 

Yes, I would greet with fervent zest 
The vast, lone forests of the west, 
And wish by all the world forgot 
My name as now it's happiest lot; 
Bear me, ye winds, O bear me o'er 
The briny waves to some free shore 
There flowers and winding brooks are seen 
Shaded by coTert dense and green. 
And numerous birds, a sportive throng. 
Pour f ortli their carols wild and strong ; 
Ambition's proud, relentless boast, 
Even in the days it glories most. 
Is often like yon slender stem 
Which scarce retains vernal gem ; 
The panther in the mountain glen 
Less dargerons far than factious men; 
And much, indeed I have to fear 
While yet my footsteps linger here ; 
For those who highly me esteemed 
While yet my sword with victory beamed, 
May henceforth be my deadliest foes; 
Blest had I found 'mid Alpine snows. 
My latest day — My last repose. 



Xines of :Boo\i 1f. 

Virgil's aENEiD, Put into English Blank 
Verse. ^ 

Arms, and the man who, from Ilium's sacred shore 

Tlirust forth by fate, first ca ne to Italy, 

I sing. He long on land and on the deep 

Endured great perils, being persecuted 

By Juno, bride of Jupiter, who strove 

To destroy him. But having gained at length 

The destined port, he fought victorious war, 

And reared his famous town from whence began 

Ti :e awful glories of majestic Rom*^, 

And flow'ry Alba's early parentage. 

— 2 — 
Say first, O muse, wliat various causes led 
Tlie Queen of lieaven to wage relentless war 
Against so wise, so brave, so just a man; 
Can such fierce wiath in heavenly bosoms dwell? 
Carthage, a famous city, proudly stood 
Fronting the spacious sea and Tiber mouth ; 
A city loved a,nd prized by Juno more 
Tlian any other land; yea, even more 
Than Argos on Samos. Twas there she kept 
Her chariot and weapons. But it was told 
A band slioald yet arrive from distant Troy, 
And lay its structures to the very gro"nd; 
This with the liate enkindled by r.he war 
Round Ilium's walls, and Paris' doomful act 
And heavenly honors done to Ganymed, 
Formed tlie strong impulse of that mighty rage 
Which sought so long to overwhelm the few 
WVo happly had escaped the warring Greeks. 
Lo what there wat from whence at length appeared 
The mightiest empire of the peopled world. 

— 3— 

Now when the Trojan fleet was on its way 
'Mid balmy breezes 'long tlie bloomy shores 
Of Sicily, thus Juno spoke: Must I 
Now leave the work I have so well begun, 
ALd see those hated crews usurp my land ? 
May Pallas for the fault of only one, 
Rend with the firy thunderbolts of Jove 
The Argive fleet and sink beneath the waves, 



And I, the Queen of Gods— but ah!" She spoke, 

And to JEolia fled; ^olia where resides 

The King of storms, to whom she thus: "^olus, 

Hear and attend my words; for lo, even now 

A Trojan band are on the billowy deep 

Witli merry song, and feeling sure to win 

My favorite realm. Sink them 'mid darkest storms. 

Or to some distant, friendless region sweep. 

From whence the.'^ ne'er can gain or hope escape; 

And for thy wife I will to thee bestow 

The fairest nympli of all my liousehold train." 

To whicli ^olus thus:" 'Tis thine, O Queen, 

To give command; mine, gladly to obey; 

For thro' tliy kindness I rceeived my power." 

So said, he with his spear struck a huge rock. 

And straightway blackest clouds rolled swiftly up 

O'er all the heaven; and soon in rushed the North 

With fiercest driving cold and snow and ice. 

The South with heaviest thunders, rain and hail. 

ILiues of "SBook UlI. 

Virgil's .I^^neip Put into English Blank 
Verse. 

— 1— 
All now were silent and intent to liear. 
As thus ^neas his long speech began : 
-Sad is the task, O Queen, which tliou dost now 
Request me to perform ; for to relate 
Doth sure renew tlie woe ; and I must tell 
Full many things which not Ulysses' self 
Could tell or even list without a tear; 
Ye since thour dost so greatly wish to learn 
The fates that fell on Troy, I will begin. 

— 2— 
"Full near ten years the dreadful war had raged. 
And equal still it seemed; and one fair morn 
No Greeks could be dis3erned; but on the plain 
A huge and stately steed well formed of wood. 
Stood in plain vie w. And some most strongly urged 
To have it took at once within the gates; 
Others objected, deeming it might be 
The cunning of Ulysses; and one struck 
With heavy spear it's portly sid-, and lo 
A sound went forth which should have told to all 
What dwelt within. 



Sbortne00 of lEartbl^ finjo^mente 

ILLUSTRATED. 
— 1 — 

Zephyrus on a stately hill, 
Met sweet Aurora near a rill. 
And soon along the playful tide 
They fondly danced close side by side. 

— 2— 
From varied groves thick fell the dew, 
As on they gaily, nimlly flew, 
And wild-wood birds the leaves among 
Awoke at once and gladly sung. 

— 3— 
Bees from their homes soon sallied out 
To gather honey all about, 
And mucli of pleasure did display 
O'er promise of a happy day. 

_4_ 

Zephyrus and his partner glanced ^ 

O'er all the scene as still they danced, 
And soon 'mong banks of violet 
The goddess Flora with them met. 

— 5— 
And soon beside an orange shade 
Ceres bestowed her kindly aid, 
And he that saw the sprightly four. 
Might deem no pleasure could be more. 

— 6— 
Onward they danced from bower to bower 
And soon was past the happy hour ; 
Then darkning clouds and icy gales 
Soon swept o'er all the hills and vales. 

Thus princely hopes do come and go. 
Thus earthly grandeurs change to woe. 
And childish glee and youthful bloom 
Are daily lost in solemn gloom. 



1bint6 from tbe (Bcoroice of IDlrgil 



— 1 



Soon as the leafy spring perfumes the gales, 

And glowing suns have softened all the vales, 

And 'mid the denseness of the forest hills, 

T.oosed from cold winter's chains the varied rills, 

And hyacinths unto the morn unfold 

Their every hue from purest white to gold. 

Then should the skillful culturist ply his toil 

To till and plant tlie duly chosen soil; 

Then the strown seed will quickly, freshley start 

Like life blood coursing fro n a healthy heart; 

Each plant will seem to join the kind employ, 

And rise in erowth as tho' it shared the joy; 

The beamy days their kindly warmth renew, 

The gentle night distill the balmy dew ; 

The freqrent clouds their timely rains bestow. 

And give fresh vigor to the roots below; 

With joy the oulturist view each growth displayed, 

And own his every labor well repaid. 



— 2- 



But tho' luxuriant growth still be supplied, 
Yet proper tillage should not be denied; 
For every plant will still respond with speed. 
As thougli full mindful of each grateful deed; 
A crusty soil excludes the warmth and air, 
Makes growth less vigorous and each hue less fair 
Some plants, 'tis true, far less attent demand. 
Far less of labor from the oulturing hand ; 
A few, even from tlie time the seed is strown, 
\Yir seem replete with Nature's care alone; 
Save only that which all al^ke do need, . 
A just protection from each friendless weed. 



fiDebitatione of IRapoIeon II* 

DURING HIS ABODE ON THE ISLAND OF ST. 
HELENA. 

— 1 — 

O France, land of my home; why am I thus 

Cut off forever from thy sacred shores? 

Pride filled my veins, and glory, to behold 

Thy name upgiowing in it's strength and miglit, 

'Till sad defeat it so ignobly met, 

Even in the hour that promised to my mind, 

The brightest victory thou hadst ever won. 



And lo, how am 1 now ? Ah !pent on this lone strand, 
Weak, reft and desolate as even a bird. 
That far has strayed into some dense grown wild 
Where night-fall and the turbulence of storm 
Surround it's flight; and thus perchance, my mind. 
Wide severed from ambition's lofty aims, 
And every bloom of joy, — must long abide 
'Neath gloomy thrall of bitter discontent. 
The pride of wealth is hurled by acts of war, 
Like thistle down by tempest ;men rea" heir towns 
States, Kingdoms, Empires, Capitols and Thrones; 
Spiders their webs, and mice tlieir nests; and all 
Seem equal in the eye of Fate 

— 3— 

O mystic morning of my varied life ; 
Whe.ice came those brilliant hopes that bloomed be- 
side 
Thy path like violets? Ah! were they given 
To lure my inborn zeal to this dire end? 
O grander were it far to have but lived 
Content and peaceful in some rural vale 
Where bright carnations thrive, and cool, fresh 

springs 
Fall tinkling down from steep, ma.iestic rooks 
'Mid huge, dense forests. Life, fare-thee well! 
Here must I stay, not live, here muse, weep, pine atid 
die. 



A crown I would not value now except 

What real good thereby I might enact; 

'Tis kingly to prevent oppressive laws, 

'Tis kingly to promote each real good; 

Perversion walks with rosy garlands graced, 

And seeks, ^uU smiling, to delude the wise; 

And he that knoweth lier and shuns her paths, 

Displays thereby a kingly attribute ; 

I vvas a blind man leading blind men forth ; 

And lastly the.^ and I went boldly down 

Into a deep, infuriated gulf; 

And even there, till overthrown, did boast 

We stood on vantage ground. Would I had been 

Wise as Coufucious; for what worth were it now 

Had I been strong as Achillies, and had slain 

A thousand Hectors? T'was said that I was 

Most shrewd to plan. What seems the fabric now ? 

A spider's web to catch a lion's foot. 



'Tis just that I am here. What right had I 

To conquer nations and to bid them bow 

Qnto my will ? Conquest is surely not 

Of wisdom's school; it only apes the fox 

That for his own support is nightly doomed 

To run his neck within the very nooge 

Of risk. What if myself and all my host 

Had been dense walled by flames, 'mid Moscow's 

towers. 
Or swept by storms while journeying darkly thro' 
The cold, fierce grandeurs of the wintry' Alps, 



ifirSi Jl ct ii/'^jj 



I iBRftRY OF CONGRESS 



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